Lake County Ohio GenWeb

Hon. David D. Aiken

This biography is taken from History of Geauga and Lake counties; Williams Brothers, 1878.

Transcribed and submitted by Becky Falin, 1996.

Among the prominent men of Chardon, and one well and favorably known through the counties of Geauga and Lake, honorable mention should be made of Mr. Aiken. A native of New York, he was born September 20, 1794, and died at Painesville, December 12, 1861. His wife, Laura Tilden, was born in Connecticut, February 10, 1803, and died at Painesville, February 13, 1874.

The date of their marriage is not given us, nor of their removal to Ohio. They lived two or three years in Painesville, and went to Chardon on the appointment of Mr. Aiken to the office of clerk for Geauga county, in 1828, which he held for two full terms. Afterwards, he was elected an associate judge of the court of common pleas for the county, and held the office until the change of the judiciary under the new constitution. A few years later he removed to Painesville, where he resided till the end of his life.

He was early engaged in mercantile pursuits, was a prompt, ready business man, made one of the ablest and most efficient clerks, was a man of unusual intelligence, pronounced in opinions, and taking sides unhesitantly. His long experience as a clerk made him a useful member of the old judiciary. With him sat Judges Taylor and Avery, which, in the absence of the law and president judge, made a very competent court for the dispatch of ordinary business. Judge Aiken had a large acquaintance, and enjoyed the confidence and respect of the public in a high degree. Judge Aiken's only child, Maria, became the wife of Doctor Moses M. Seymour.

Doctor Seymour was born in Connecticut, is of the old Seymour family of that State, a cousin to Governor Tom Seymour, of Connecticut, and of Governor Horatio Seymour, of New York. He was the graduate of a medical college, came early to Painesville where he had relatives, the Lockwoods, and where he successfully engaged in the practice of his profession. On his marriage, the Seymours became a part of a family with the Aikens, at Chardon, where the doctor continued his practice. They all returned together to Painesville, after which Seymour engaged in mercantile pursuits for several years.

He was appointed postmaster of Painesville by President Lincoln, and again by President Johnson. Mrs. Seymour, a woman of superior intelligence and much force of character, died greatly regretted at Painesville, January 10, 1869.

Doctor Seymour is a man of decided opinions, which he fearlessly expresses and has great force of character. A man of superior intelligence, indifferent to his enemies, warm and steady in his friendships, of unquestioned integrity, and a resolute champion of the causes he supports.

The marriage of the Seymours was childless. Many years ago they adopted a daughter, reared her with care, and she is now the wife of Mr. George Crane, and the mother of an infant daughter of great promise. These, mother and daughter, in the old Aiken-Seymour homestead, supply a world of love and hope to Doctor Seymour, and present an attractive picture of serene home life.